Quality modeling in electronic healthcare: a study of mHealth Service

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the potential to radically transform health services in developing countries. Among various ICT driven health platforms, mobile health is the most promising one because of its widespread penetration and cost effective services. This paper aims to examine Quality Modeling in Electronic Healthcare by using PLS based SEM

THE ROLE OF AUGMENTED REALITY IN DESTINATION BRANDING

Purpose – The goals of this study are to find out which factors contribute to AR applications generating satisfactory tourism experiences; analyze the impact of AR on destination brand communication; and examine whether the act of communicating the destination brand also increases satisfactory tourist experiences. Design – The research is based on a case study of an AR application that belongs to the city of Tarragona (Spain) that reproduces its main monuments dating from the Roman era. Methodology – The study includes one survey conducted on 150 participants (75 tourists, 75 residents) and 15 in-depth interviews with respondents who used the Imageen application. Approach – The analysis provides detailed information on the users’ experiences and opinions, highlighting the different variables that provide the most satisfactory tourist experiences. Findings – The study shows that the AR application creates highly satisfactory tourism experiences, although not extraordinary. The main contribution of this study has been to demonstrate that the AR application has the potential to communicate the destination brand. Originality of the research – This study provides knowledge on the AR role in constructing a destination brand and its relationship with the tourism experience. Particularly, the findings of this paper have significant implications for DMOs and their marketing and communication strategies

Customer empowerment in tourism through Consumer Centric Marketing (CCM)

We explain Consumer Centric Marketing (CCM) and adopt this new technique to travel context. Benefits and disadvantages of the CCM are outlined together with warnings of typical caveats Value: CCM will be expected as the norm in the travel industry by customers of the future, yet it is only the innovators who gain real tangible benefits from this development. We outline current and future opportunities to truly place your customer at the centre and provide the organisation with some real savings/gains through the use of ICT Practical Implications: We offer tangible examples for travel industry on how to utilise this new technology. The technology is already available and the ICT companies are keen to establish ways how consumers can utilise it, i.e. by providing ‘content’ for these ICT products the travel industry can fully gain from these developments and also enhance consumers’ gains from it. This can result in more satisfied customers for the travel (as well as ICT) companies thus truly adopting the basic philosophy of marketin

The value of intelligent services and intelligent destination: From the perspective of residents

Destinations are considered brands that must be properly managed to increase not only tourist arrivals but also the quality of life of residents. Brand equity plays an important role in achieving such objectives. Simultaneously, the integration of ICT in the territory has led to the concept of “smart destinations”. In this context, the aim of the paper is to develop a value model of smart destinations from the perspective of residents (key actor of destinations as they project their image and influence the tourist experience). Our model includes smart services related to safety, health, heritage, mobility and environment. Our results confirm that smart destination value is formed by recognition, image, perceived quality and loyalty. In addition, safety, environment and mobility services are the main antecedents of smart destination value

The Direct and Indirect Effect of Predictor Variables on Destination Brand Loyalty in Jordan

Destination branding literature generally lacks empirical data evaluating the effectiveness of brand campaigns, particularly in terms of enhancing destination brand loyalty. In particular, little is known about the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, destination brand promotion, and destination brand loyalty. To fill this gap, this study examined the relationships between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, and destination brand promotion on destination brand loyalty. Based on the Theory of Brand Equity, this study had the following objectives: (1) to identify the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, and destination brand promotion on destination brand loyalty; (2) to examine the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, and destination brand promotion on destination perceived value; and (3) to determine the mediating effect of destination perceived value on the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, and destination brand promotion with destination brand loyalty. The data was collected at Jerash, Petra, and the Dead Sea, Jordan, during November and December 2010. Of the 700 tourists participating in the 54-questions, face-to-face intercept survey, 600 or about 86% responded. After dropping incomplete questionnaires, 550 usable responses were analyzed using SPSS. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, destination brand promotion, and destination brand loyalty. Results showed significant, positive relationships between destination brand awareness, destination brand image, destination brand quality, destination brand promotion and destination brand loyalty. However, the study found no significant relationships between destination brand image and destination perceived value. Finally, destination perceived value was found to mediate the relationship between destination brand awareness, destination brand quality, destination brand promotion, and destination brand loyalty

Portugal as an European destination reference in senior tourism

O presente projeto consiste na determinação estratégica relativa ao desenvolvimento de Portugal cujo objectivo central é determinar de que forma Portugal pode vir a ser um player de referencia no contexto de Turismo Sénior, um segmento de mercado que representa já, quer em volume quer em valor o mais atrativo segmento de turistas. À medida que a população mundial envelhece, o segmento sénior é considerado o segmento de consumo mais valioso, um fenómeno que se verifica não só na indústria do turismo, mas é sim comum a todas as indústrias. Este segmento possui atualmente tempo e capital disponível para a prática de turismo. Todos os dias 10,000 novos cidadãos Americanos entram na idade da reforma. Para além disso, aqueles considerados “Baby- Boomers” e que detêm hoje cerca de 60% de toda a fortuna mundial, serão os próximos “seniores” e irão dominar a indústria mundial do Turismo exigindo uma oferta cada vez mais adaptada às suas necessidades. Posto isto, é urgente o desenvolvimento de uma estratégia direcionada não só aos membros da atual população sénior mas também a outras gerações, nomeadamente os “Baby-Boomers” e a Generation X que irão representar a curto/médio prazo o segmento “sénior” da população mundial. De forma a fazê-lo de uma forma eficaz, é crucial ter em conta a necessidade de criar uma ligação emocional com estes grupos de consumidores, ao mesmo tempo que a oferta turística disponível deverá ser capaz de se desenvolver e adaptar de forma contínua à evolução das suas necessidades e comportamentos turísticos.The presented project consists in a strategic development of Portugal as a Touristic Destination witch major goal is to understand how can Portugal become a major Player in Senior Tourism, as segment of the population that already represents both in volume and value the most attractive travel segment. With the increasing ageing of the world’s population, seniors are pointed out to become the most valuable consumer segment. These have increasing available time to travel and they have the disposable income to spend in travel experiences as a primary motivation. Every day in the USA 10,000 people enter in the retirement age, a trend that is expected to prevail until 2020. Moreover, 60% of the world’s fortune lies in the hands of baby-boomers, which will soon become the next seniors, dominating the World tourism and demanding hand-crafted experiences as never before. A Destination that is able to understand their needs and develop customized experiences to fit their demand will surely hold a valuable competitive advantage. This being said, there was the needed to develop a strategy targeted not only to those who may be already considered “seniors”, but also to the other generations namely Baby- Boomers and members of Generation X that will become “seniors” in a 10 to 20 year period. In order to do it effectively, this strategy must take into account the need to create an emotional connection with those consumers, while our touristic offer must be developed and continuously adapted to their evolution in terms of needs and travel behaviours

Brand redefinition and communication plan for Grândola

This project was elaborated with the intention to build a communication plan for Grândola, and its wide offer, in order to draw more tourists to the municipality. Grândola is located in South-west Portugal, being mostly known for an offer of Sun and Sea, with beaches that extend for 45 Km, but it also has rural tourism component, with green and calm landscapes, making it a close to nature destination. It also has the excitement of several events and a Casino. By analyzing the market and the current communication strategy, some points needing improvement were found, not only regarding this operational marketing vertex , but also in what concerns brand identity. With this in mind, this project is a proposal for: the redefinition of the brand Grândola, with the creation of a new image allows its affirmation, in order to be better recognized in the market; a communication plan that follows the constructed identity, where multiple marketing communication tools are used, being all aligned. This municipality has been able to grow in the tourist industry in the last few years, but still falls behind some other national offers that have more notoriety. However, it has the best performance in the region it is inserted, Alentejo Litoral. Knowing that, this project is based on the need to grow even more.Este projeto foi elaborado com a intenção de criar um plano de comunicação para Grândola e a sua larga oferta, de modo a atrair mais turistas ao município. Grândola está localizada no Sudoeste de Portugal, sendo principalmente conhecida pela sua oferta em Sol e Mar, com praias que se estendem por 45 Km, mas também por uma componente de turismo rural, com planícies calmas e verdes, sendo assim um destino próximo da natureza. Também tem ainda a diversão de diversos eventos e um Casino. Ao analisar o mercado e a atual estratégia de comunicação, foram descobertos alguns pontos que necessitam de melhoria, não apenas neste vértice do marketing operacional, mas também no que diz respeito à identidade da marca. Com isto em mente, este projeto apresenta uma proposta para: a redefinição da marca de Grândola, com a criação de uma nova imagem que permita a sua afirmação, de modo a ser mais facilmente reconhecida no mercado; um plano de comunicação que segue a identidade construída, onde múltiplas ferramentas de marketing são utilizadas de forma alinhada. Este município tem conseguido crescer no sector do turismo nos últimos anos, mas continua atrás de outras ofertas nacionais que têm maior notoriedade. Contudo, tem o melhor desempenho da região do Litoral Alentejano. Sabendo isto, este projeto é baseado na necessidade de continuar a crescer

Albufeira: a proposal for brand redefinition and communication plan

The main objective of this project is to reinforce the brand Albufeira by presenting a communication plan. Albufeira is a city known mostly for the amazing beaches and nightlife, however has so much more to offer, as history, culture, food, events and others. In order to create a consistent and coherent strategic communication plan, it was needed to aggregate all the possible information about the city. Therefore, it was important to characterize all the tourism offer and tourism products of Albufeira, as well as analyze its current positioning. When analyzing the city, it was possible to understand that its brand identity can be improved. Therefore, there was the need to redefine the Albufeira brand. This is one of the most important aspects of this project.O principal objetivo deste projeto é reforçar a marca Albufeira, apresentando um plano de comunicação. Albufeira é uma cidade conhecida principalmente por as suas praias incríveis e vida nocturna, no entanto, tem muito mais para oferecer, como história, cultura, gastronomia e eventos, entre outros. A fim de criar um plano estratégico de comunicação consistente e coerente, foi necessário agregar todas as informações possíveis sobre a cidade. Deste modo, era importante caracterizar toda a oferta turística e produtos turísticos de Albufeira, bem como analisar o seu posicionamento atual. Ao analisar a cidade, foi possível compreender que a sua identidade de marca pode ser melhorada. Assim, houve a necessidade de repensar a marca Albufeira, sendo que, a sua redefinição é um dos aspectos principais deste projeto